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goldbeach
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I don't know about ELCA but in the LCMS we require that the communicant not only understands what communion is but when they take communion they are also adhering to the Lutheran beliefs. That is a requiremnt. Hence the need for confirmation and the teaching of confirmation so that the new confirmant understand our teachings. I also think that is the reason you don't put much stress on confirmation.We should be clear though that when we discuss eating worthily as Lutherans we talk only and always about possessing faith. For only by faith is the forgiveness received and only by lacking faith does one eat and drink to their own damnation (that is to say, it does not justify ex opera operato).
The way you present it is that the communicant only understands what communion is and not agreement with basic Lutheran teaching. That might be the reason that someone in the ELCA can take communion with another denomination that doesn't believe true Lutheran theology.
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